Who was the marketing matermind behind KISS?

I can't think of another band that has been so successful at monetizing their brand name (that's not a typo, I meant brand, not band, although in this case it's the same thing). Every conceivable type of merchandise from condoms to coffins has been sold with the KISS logo, and I just learned that they are launching an arena football team that may sign Tim Tebow.

So who was/is behind all this? Was it Gene Simmons, or was it a manager or someone else?

From almost every "reliable" source about anything associated with KISS, it should be clear that Gene was way more interested in making money and screwing left and right to anything that moves than he was about making music.
Music was just the means to do those things.

He wasn't particularily good business man at the intermediate level, but fortunately for us, KISS had a lot of dedcated people to help them through that stage.

Gene was/is also one of the very few succesful people who did admit the REAL reason behind his desire to be a musician from the get-go.
Kudos for that.

Bill worked with an artist I was working for as a roadie about 12 years ago. He was an interesting cat. I didn't even know his connection to KISS until after I was done working on the project. Turns out he was the marketing mastermind.

Bill worked with an artist I was working for as a roadie about 12 years ago. He was an interesting cat. I didn't even know his connection to KISS until after I was done working on the project. Turns out he was the marketing mastermind.

Gene is an incredibly [DEL]bright businessman and general all around super smart dude[/DEL] incredibly greedy human being.

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I think that is what you meant.

Gene will copyright anything in the name of money, in fact he owns the image of a cash sign on a bag.

I like Gene as a bass player but as a person that guy a dick and will only acknowledge his fans if he is on the dime. He definitely epitomizes the old saying "Never meet your idols" Shannon in from my city, we don't get too many celebrities so plenty of folks have a Gene and Shannon story. I do not have anything bad to say about Shannon.

It kills me that anybody talks about Gene Simmons, they pound on him being greedy. Just because the guy likes money, and wants to get paid for HIS ideas, doesn't make him greedy. He works at making money, but he also doesn't seem to mind spreading it around. From everything that I've seen and read he is very charitable, and supports several members of his extended family overseas.
If I could make money by putting my name on a condom, bet your a$$ I would!

Gene will copyright anything in the name of money, in fact he owns the image of a cash sign on a bag.

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Michael Jackson did the same. Congrats to both of them. If you are smart enough to think of it, go for it. Gene has never claimed to be an amazing musician or singer. He is an entertainer and rock music just happened to be the easiest vehicle to ride all the way to the bank. Had juggling been the most lucrative he probably would have put on a crazy costume and juggled just well enough to be called a juggler. Good for him! He is smart and driven. Two qualities that USED to be HERALDED in the US in particular. Successful business men used to be HEROES. Now they are "the enemy". I don't buy it. I admire and strive to be more like successful businessmen. And I congratulate those who have reached a high level of success.

Not everyone who got rich "screwed" anyone else. You need to let go of that myth. Some are just smart, hard-working guys who make the most of what they have to work with.

My wife and I stayed in Myrtle Beach SC over the weekend. There is actually a KISS coffee shop on the boardwalk! I am no KISS music fan, but I thought "Awesome! Way to make a dollar!" I went in and got a great cup of coffee and subjected myself to some not so amazing rock n roll.

And for anyone who is keeping score, I would be interested to know where KISS scores in merch sales against The Greatful Dead or Jimmy Buffett. All three acts are masterful marketers. And why do we never hear about Garcia being "greedy"? That band played HIPPIE music and sells $100 NECK TIES for Christ's sake! (And congrats to them too.) I love the free market and am glad I live in a country where it thrives.